Bad behavior by Boca Raton area cycling club?
06-08-06, 02:04 PM
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Bad behavior by Boca Raton area cycling club?
This ripped from some other (non-cycling related) board.
Anyone have first hand experience with this "large bicycle club" from Boca Raton? Seems like there's got to be two sides to this story.
Anyone have first hand experience with this "large bicycle club" from Boca Raton? Seems like there's got to be two sides to this story.
A mad-cyclist story from my town. I live in a small town on the ocean about 30 minutes north of Ft Lauderdale. A two-lane state road, called A1A, is the main artery through my area.
We have bicycle lanes set aside, although they are not "legal" bicycle lanes. The law, however is clear - when riding outside those lanes, you an only ride two abreast.
A large bicycle club in Boca Raton has an almost daily ride up through my town. Up to 50+ riders of various ages and sex are on these daily rides. They flagrantly violate the law and public safety by riding across both lanes of traffic, causing cars to back up behind them, or pull off the road to avoid hitting them. If any motorist toots a horn or tries to move around them, they get nasty and violent - screaming cuss words, giving the finger and in some cases kicking or slamming the cars.
The police have been trying to reason with the club, recently holding a meeting to discuss options and work something out - while ensuring they obey the law. The result? The club basically told the town PD to buzz off, and they will do whatever they want...."just try and stop us" was the result of the meeting. That just happened last night.
So now the town PD is declaring war on them - working out legal limits with the town manager and options to ticket the cyclists without causing a pile-up that would result in our getting sued - although there are some drivers in town who wouldnt mind seeing some tangled spokes.
So....instead of being reasonable, these people will continue to make life miserable for town residents while collecting a stack of moving violations. Very mature.
We have bicycle lanes set aside, although they are not "legal" bicycle lanes. The law, however is clear - when riding outside those lanes, you an only ride two abreast.
A large bicycle club in Boca Raton has an almost daily ride up through my town. Up to 50+ riders of various ages and sex are on these daily rides. They flagrantly violate the law and public safety by riding across both lanes of traffic, causing cars to back up behind them, or pull off the road to avoid hitting them. If any motorist toots a horn or tries to move around them, they get nasty and violent - screaming cuss words, giving the finger and in some cases kicking or slamming the cars.
The police have been trying to reason with the club, recently holding a meeting to discuss options and work something out - while ensuring they obey the law. The result? The club basically told the town PD to buzz off, and they will do whatever they want...."just try and stop us" was the result of the meeting. That just happened last night.
So now the town PD is declaring war on them - working out legal limits with the town manager and options to ticket the cyclists without causing a pile-up that would result in our getting sued - although there are some drivers in town who wouldnt mind seeing some tangled spokes.
So....instead of being reasonable, these people will continue to make life miserable for town residents while collecting a stack of moving violations. Very mature.
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06-08-06, 02:09 PM
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I read your post with curiousity. I did a google search to see what I could find ... now, THIS is interesting after reading what the OP posted:
https://www.bicyclefriendlycommunity...._bocaraton.htm
Here is a press release similar to the problems in OP:
https://www.bicyclefriendlycommunity...._bocaraton.htm
Here is a press release similar to the problems in OP:
Boca Raton Bicycle Club vs. Florida Department of Transportation
News from the League of American Bicyclists
The Boca Raton Bicycle Club and the League of American Bicyclists are pleased to announce that the Florida Department of Transportation will file the formal documentation setting forth its decisions regarding the provision of bicycle lanes on State Road A1A in Palm Beach County. The Club and LAB (along with Palm Beach County resident Bruce Rosenszweig) filed a lawsuit on March 1, 2006 in Leon County Circuit Court, requesting that the Court issue a mandamus requiring the FDOT to prepare and file formal design variation documentation justifying its decision not to include full bicycle facilities in the renovations to A1A in Palm Beach County. The FDOT also stipulated in open court that its substantive decisions regarding A1A can be challenged in an administrative proceeding pursuant to Florida Chapter 120. Accordingly, the pending Circuit Court case will be stayed pending the completion of the administrative challenge.
The LAB wants to hear from lawyers who specialize in bicycling and people that provide expert witness services. In response to numerous legal cases, they're compiling a directory of lawyers and expert witnesses who are willing and able to assist cyclists. Contact Mike Mackin with your information.
News from the League of American Bicyclists
The Boca Raton Bicycle Club and the League of American Bicyclists are pleased to announce that the Florida Department of Transportation will file the formal documentation setting forth its decisions regarding the provision of bicycle lanes on State Road A1A in Palm Beach County. The Club and LAB (along with Palm Beach County resident Bruce Rosenszweig) filed a lawsuit on March 1, 2006 in Leon County Circuit Court, requesting that the Court issue a mandamus requiring the FDOT to prepare and file formal design variation documentation justifying its decision not to include full bicycle facilities in the renovations to A1A in Palm Beach County. The FDOT also stipulated in open court that its substantive decisions regarding A1A can be challenged in an administrative proceeding pursuant to Florida Chapter 120. Accordingly, the pending Circuit Court case will be stayed pending the completion of the administrative challenge.
The LAB wants to hear from lawyers who specialize in bicycling and people that provide expert witness services. In response to numerous legal cases, they're compiling a directory of lawyers and expert witnesses who are willing and able to assist cyclists. Contact Mike Mackin with your information.
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06-08-06, 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by woodcycl
I read your post with curiousity. I did a google search to see what I could find ... now, THIS is interesting after reading what the OP posted:
https://www.bicyclefriendlycommunity...._bocaraton.htm
Here is a press release similar to the problems in OP:
https://www.bicyclefriendlycommunity...._bocaraton.htm
Here is a press release similar to the problems in OP:
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06-08-06, 02:51 PM
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they sound like hells angels on road bikes....
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06-08-06, 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted by H1449-6
...and the residents of this small town on A1A.
06-08-06, 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted by LordOpie
FYI: Boca's not small in any way and it's got a lot of money.
From the cut-and-pasted text:
I live in a small town on the ocean about 30 minutes north of Ft Lauderdale.
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06-08-06, 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by H1449-6
The town in question isn't Boca.
From the cut-and-pasted text:
I suspect it's between Ft Lauderdale and Boca.
From the cut-and-pasted text:
I suspect it's between Ft Lauderdale and Boca.
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06-08-06, 10:01 PM
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Given the ******** amount of **** we have to put up with around here from motorists, I am not too surprised that they (club) would act like this. So they are taking up all lanes of the road going in one direction? If so, that's not right. Although another part of me says HELL yeah stick it to the motorists.
06-09-06, 05:19 AM
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Originally Posted by operator
Given the ******** amount of **** we have to put up with around here from motorists, I am not too surprised that they (club) would act like this. So they are taking up all lanes of the road going in one direction? If so, that's not right. Although another part of me says HELL yeah stick it to the motorists.
Ummmm....don't most of US drive too?
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06-09-06, 05:31 AM
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Originally Posted by operator
Given the ******** amount of **** we have to put up with around here from motorists, I am not too surprised that they (club) would act like this. So they are taking up all lanes of the road going in one direction? If so, that's not right. Although another part of me says HELL yeah stick it to the motorists.
06-09-06, 06:54 AM
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In Fort Lauderdale, a fit cyclist could easily match the speed limit on A1A. I could see if the bicyclists were doing the speed limit that they feel that they can take the lane.
06-09-06, 07:23 AM
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If the OP's side of the story is accurate in the sense that the 50+ member cycling group was riding other than 2 abreast and taking up full lanes, then there really isn't another side of the story. The cycling club was abusing their position. There's relative safety in numbers, and a certain machismo comes from the mob mentality. If a motorist is forced into oncoming traffic because the cyclists aren't adequately 'sharing the road', then he/she has every right to be upset. It's not always about cyclists getting the short end of the stick. Large groups most definitely take advantage of the group situation.
If (as the story goes) the group members lashed out at the car with obscenities and kicks, each and every one of them deserves a good cockpunch or a jack in the box.
Share the road, morans.
If (as the story goes) the group members lashed out at the car with obscenities and kicks, each and every one of them deserves a good cockpunch or a jack in the box.
Share the road, morans.
06-09-06, 07:53 AM
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Sad to say, that if you take out some of the over the top behavior, such as the kicks and the obscenities, this pretty much describes our Tuesday night training ride. the combination of the number of riders, and the fact that its virtually a race, leads to some riders completely ignoring traffic rules and common courtesy. (Only defense is we're not holding up traffic, and actually get held up by slower cars fromm time to time.) If we expect motorists and police to honor our right to the road, we've got to learn to play by the rules. Our rights as cyclists can be taken away easily by legislative change. We can't afford to take them for granted.
06-09-06, 08:41 AM
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I will chime in here as this is my ride......
On the whole, drivers are "bike aware" on A1A from Ft. Lauderdale to Palm Beach.
On the whole, cyclists follow normally prescribed cycling rules.
However, I have seen peletons in the street. I have been cursed at to "get on the sidewalk". I have had cell phone chatting hotties in Suburbans look right through me before turning in front of me. I have had the 1985 DeVille with skeleton hands on the wheel and a blue puff of hair below the dashboard run me off the road. I have seen tri-guys blow lights in the aero position and nearly get hit, then cuss the "in the right" car for 2 miles. I have been buzzed by drunken plumbers at 5:00 pm in the white van. I have been buzzed by drunken surfers at 11:00 am in the '78 "woody" station wagon. I have run bridge lights and been cussed by boaters, cars and the bridge keeper.
As to the Boca Bike Club.... many clubs locally ride in larger groups. I have riden with the Boca Club (I joined while on my ride). They were polite, as far as I could tell. And yes, occassionally, there were periods when the group had riders in the back move to the front and they were more than 2 wide, but I saw no kicking or cursing at cars that passed.
I fight the wind alone !
Doug in Ft Lauderdale
On the whole, drivers are "bike aware" on A1A from Ft. Lauderdale to Palm Beach.
On the whole, cyclists follow normally prescribed cycling rules.
However, I have seen peletons in the street. I have been cursed at to "get on the sidewalk". I have had cell phone chatting hotties in Suburbans look right through me before turning in front of me. I have had the 1985 DeVille with skeleton hands on the wheel and a blue puff of hair below the dashboard run me off the road. I have seen tri-guys blow lights in the aero position and nearly get hit, then cuss the "in the right" car for 2 miles. I have been buzzed by drunken plumbers at 5:00 pm in the white van. I have been buzzed by drunken surfers at 11:00 am in the '78 "woody" station wagon. I have run bridge lights and been cussed by boaters, cars and the bridge keeper.
As to the Boca Bike Club.... many clubs locally ride in larger groups. I have riden with the Boca Club (I joined while on my ride). They were polite, as far as I could tell. And yes, occassionally, there were periods when the group had riders in the back move to the front and they were more than 2 wide, but I saw no kicking or cursing at cars that passed.
I fight the wind alone !
Doug in Ft Lauderdale
06-09-06, 09:02 AM
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Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
If we expect motorists and police to honor our right to the road, we've got to learn to play by the rules. Our rights as cyclists can be taken away easily by legislative change. We can't afford to take them for granted.
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06-09-06, 09:26 AM
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It is very un-pc on this board but we must be mindful of the fact that without cars we would all be mountain bikers...
06-09-06, 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Hambone
It is very un-pc on this board but we must be mindful of the fact that without cars we would all be mountain bikers...
06-09-06, 09:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Hambone
It is very un-pc on this board but we must be mindful of the fact that without cars we would all be mountain bikers...
Hambone and interested readers, check out this little 'bit of bicycling history.
"The bicycle gave man his first personal mechanical transportation. Prior to the bicycle being around man was solely dependent on his own two feet - or horses, oxen or other animals for his personal means of transport. As the bicycle was improved and became more and more popular women became the big winners and the use of the bicycle prompted great changes in their lives giving them personal independence. Their clothing soon changed to make their dress and fashions more user friendly for use of the bicycle.
The bicycle's popularity and use further prompted the building all of our nation's roads long before the automobile was thought of. This also created the need for road signs, road maps and rules of the road. Those rules were the foundation for all of the rules established later for the first automobiles. Two of the thousands of bicycle builders, by the names of Wilbur and Orville Wright made their first airplane, from mostly bicycle parts, in the backyard of their Dayton, Ohio bicycle shop starting our aircraft industry. Glen Curtis, also a bicycle builder also went into the air also using many bicycle parts to make his first airplane. The majority of the other bicycle makers went into and pioneered the automobile industry."
Here's the link.
06-09-06, 09:54 AM
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Merlinextraligh beat me to it. Good job, bro.
06-09-06, 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by operator
Although another part of me says HELL yeah stick it to the motorists.
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06-09-06, 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Hambone
It is very un-pc on this board but we must be mindful of the fact that without cars we would all be mountain bikers...
Educate yourself: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_...rican_Wheelmen
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06-09-06, 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by H1449-6
So you're part of the problem.